July 6, 1972
KFIR Radio, owned and operated by Santiam Broadcasters, has been purchased by KFIR, Inc. The principal stockholders are Delward and Beulah Jensen, both former school teachers.
Three thefts were reported this week, including two speakers, a drum and a stand from the high school band room, two Springfield 1903 bolt action rifles from the Vets Club, and two mailboxes on Ames Creek Road. Two fires broke out this week, including a grass fire behind the Sprouse Reitz store, and a car fire caused by a defective exhaust system that broke out while the car was in use by Gary Knaggs.
Friends and postal employees presented retiring rural mail carriers Selmer Follesvold and Pearle “Bill” Walberg with a gaily decorated cake, a watch and good wishes at an informal gathering at the post office.
One person was killed and at least five injured in Sweet Home area vehicle accidents this week. Pedestrian Roland Edward Nichols, 67, was killed while attempting to cross Highway 20 at Foster. David Lee Miner, 22, and Wally Kruesi, 22, were injured when their car was involved in a collision at Nandina Street and Westwood Lane.
Bevery J. Pollock, 16, and Charles O. Pollock, 13, were injured in an auto accident near Liberty School. Scott Richards, 21, suffered a head cut when his westbound loaded log truck went off Highway 20 some 10 miles east of Sweet Home. The truck, owned by Clear Lumber, turned over on its top and the cab was badly damaged.
July 2, 1997
Stella Ann Kiser, the mother of 3-year-old Tesslynn O’cull, and Kiser’s boyfriend, Jesse Caleb Compton, have been charged in the murder of the little girl who was found two weeks ago just three miles east of Sweet Home. Autopsy results showed the Springfield girl suffered electrical shocks, trauma to the vaginal and rectal areas, open sores, and bruises on her head and chest.
Captain Erv Reynolds of the Sweet Home Volunteer Fire Department celebrated his retirement with fellow volunteers after serving 31 years for the department. Rey-nolds recounted Mollie’s Bakery’s standing promise to serve hot coffee and a doughnut or two in the early morning hours for the volunteers who were returning from a fire. The 65-year-old worked at Willamette Industries for 40-plus years, and was one of the first in the city to be trained as an EMT in 1974.
The City Council approved of the general plan and program for a planned unit development (PUD) on 47th Avenue, and held the first reading of the ordinance that would authorize the 13-unit development.
The PUD met heavy opposition at the meeting from residents of 47th Avenue, who cited decreasing land value, well contamination, drainage, parking, traffic and children playing as their concerns.
Opponents also cited zone requirements that limit home heights to 25 feet.
The development is intended to initially provide model homes for Japanese export, featuring small-footprint designs of two-story homes that are 32 feet high.